Gomekli (mirdametinib) is a prescription drug used to treat neurofibromatosis type 1-associated plexiform neurofibromas (NF1-PN) in certain adults and children. The drug comes as an oral capsule and oral suspension tablet.

Gomekli contains the active ingredient mirdametinib. It belongs to a group of drugs called kinase inhibitors.

Gomekli is a brand-name medication. A generic version of the drug isn’t currently available.

Gomekli is used to treat neurofibromatosis type 1-associated plexiform neurofibromas (NF1-PN) in adults and children ages 2 years and older.

Neurofibromatosis is a rare genetic (inherited) condition that raises the risk of tumor growth. With NF1-PN, tumors develop on nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms can include pain and difficulty moving, breathing, or hearing.

Gomekli is prescribed when the tumors are causing symptoms but cannot be removed with surgery.

Gomekli is a targeted therapy. It works by helping block certain signals in the body that cause plexiform neurofibromas to grow.

To learn more about Gomekli for NF1-PN, talk with your doctor.

Like most drugs, Gomekli may cause mild to serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the more common side effects Gomekli may cause, but they don’t include all possible side effects.

Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:

  • your age
  • other health conditions you have
  • other medications you take

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Gomekli. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medications safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking Gomekli and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Mild side effects

Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects that Gomekli can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Gomekli’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Gomekli that have been reported include:

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Gomekli can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Gomekli, call your doctor right away. If you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects of Gomekli that have been reported include:

  • severe skin rash
  • left ventricular dysfunction (weakened heart pump)
  • eye problems, such as retinal vein occlusion (blockage of a vein in the eye)

Side effects in children

Gomekli is approved to treat neurofibromatosis type 1-associated plexiform neurofibromas (NF1-PN) in children ages 2 years and older.

Most side effects of Gomekli are similar in children and adults. But certain side effects may be more common in children, such as:

  • headache
  • infection, such as nail infection
  • cough
  • left ventricular dysfunction
Allergic reaction

For some people, Gomekli can cause an allergic reaction. But this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should continue Gomekli treatment.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Gomekli, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

The Gomekli dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on the following factors:

  • your body surface area
  • any side effects you may have from the drug

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Forms and strengths

Gomekli comes in the following forms and strengths:

  • oral capsule: 1 milligram (mg) and 2 mg
  • oral suspension tablet: 1 mg

Recommended dosage

Your doctor will prescribe the dosage of Gomekli that’s right for you. Keep reading to learn more.

Dosage for NF1-PN

The dosage of Gomekli is based on your body surface area (BSA), which is measured using your height and weight. BSA is measured in square meters (m2). The typical dosage of Gomekli for NF1-PN is 2 mg/m² taken twice daily for 3 weeks, followed by a 1-week break.

Children’s dosage

Gomekli is used to treat NF1-PN in children ages 2 years and older. The dosage of Gomekli for children is the same as for adults. For details, see the previous section.

How to take

Gomekli is available as oral capsules and oral suspension tablets.

You’ll swallow Gomekli capsules whole. You can also swallow Gomekli tablets whole or dissolve them in water to form a suspension that you drink.

About taking Gomekli

The following are some common questions about taking Gomekli.

  • Can Gomekli be chewed, crushed, or split? You should not crush, split, or chew Gomekli capsules. You should swallow the capsules whole. Gomekli tablets can be swallowed whole or dissolved in water to form a suspension that you drink.
  • Should I take Gomekli with food? You can take Gomekli capsules or tablets with or without food.
  • Is there a best time of day to take Gomekli? You’ll take Gomekli twice per day, typically every 12 hours.
  • What if I miss a dose of Gomekli? If you miss a dose of Gomekli, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time to take your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at its usual time. You should not take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose. Doing so could raise your risk of side effects.
  • Will I need to use Gomekli long term? Some people may use Gomekli long term. This depends on how your condition responds to the drug and whether you have any bothersome side effects. Your doctor will advise you on how long you’ll take Gomekli.
  • How long does Gomekli take to work? Gomekli begins to work after you take your first dose. Your doctor will monitor your condition to determine how well the drug is working to manage your condition.

Overdose

Do not take more Gomekli than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.

Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much Gomekli. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.

Gomekli is not known to interact with other medications, herbs, supplements, foods, or alcohol. The manufacturer of Gomekli didn’t look at interactions in studies of the drug.

Before starting Gomekli treatment, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you take. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering Gomekli. What you’ll pay for Gomekli may depend on several factors, such as your treatment plan and the pharmacy you use.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. A program called SpringWorks CareConnections may also be available for Gomekli. To learn more and find out if you’re eligible for support, call 844-227-3755 or visit the program website.

The following is important information to consider and discuss with your doctor or pharmacist before taking Gomekli.

Pregnancy and Gomekli

Gomekli should not be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this drug. Your doctor may suggest birth control options to use during treatment with Gomekli.

Birth control and Gomekli

It’s not known whether Gomekli is safe to take during pregnancy. If you’re sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control options while you’re taking Gomekli.

Note: The use of binary terms such as “male” and “female” in this article reflects the language of the sources we’ve used. Unless otherwise noted, it’s unclear whether the research we reference included participants with expansive gender identities.

For females taking Gomekli

It’s recommended that females who can become pregnant use birth control during treatment with Gomekli and for at least 6 weeks after taking the last dose.

If you’re a female taking Gomekli, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs.

For males taking Gomekli

Males with partners who can become pregnant should use birth control during treatment and for at least 3 months after their last dose.

If you’re a male taking Gomekli, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs.

Gomekli and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether Gomekli should be taken while breastfeeding. But it’s recommended that you do not breastfeed during Gomekli treatment and for at least 1 week after your final dose.

If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this drug.

Before taking Gomekli, discuss your health history with your doctor. Gomekli may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

  • eye problems
  • heart problems
  • previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding

Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Gomekli, see the “Side effects of Gomekli” section.

Other drugs are available that can treat your condition. For example, selumetinib (Koselugo) is also approved to treat neurofibromatosis type 1-associated plexiform neurofibromas (NF1-PN).

If you’d like to explore an alternative to Gomekli, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that might work well for you.

Disclaimer: MyistyClan has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.